How to Grow a Succulent Haworthia Cymbiformis

Native to arid Southern Africa, Haworthia cymbiformis is one species among 60 small succulents whose fleshy leaves grow around a center point, a shape biologists call a rosette. Haworthia cymbiformis grows about 3 inches high, with light and dark green spots on all the leaves. Haworthia grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, but they also work well as houseplants. Growing conditions for your plant remain the same whether you grow it indoors or out.

1

Locate your plant where it will be exposed to partial shade and bright, indirect light. Partially shaded sites are those that get some shade for at least half the day.

2

Amend the soil, if needed, with sand, pumice or decomposed granite to ensure that it is fast-draining, or purchase a potting soil specifically designed for succulents if you plan to grow your plant indoors.

3

Water your plant just enough to keep its leaves rounded and fleshy. The timing depends on your weather conditions, but haworthia generally needs little to moderate watering, such as a thorough watering once every two or three weeks.

4

Fertilize haworthia lightly with an all-purpose fertilizer one time, at the beginning of the growing season, using half the recommended dose for your other garden plants. Alternatively, feed the plant with a fertilizer specially designed for succulents.

5

Cut off the small stems and tiny flowers on your Haworthia cymbiformis after they fade to keep the plant looking neat.

6

Mulch potted haworthia only for design purposes, using small polished stones or moss. Because haworthia is a drought tolerate plant, mulching to help the soil retain moisture does more harm than good.

Things You Will Need

Sand, pumice or decomposed granite (optional)

Hose or watering can

All-purpose fertilizer

Small stones or moss (optional)

Clippers or scissors

Tip

Mass Haworthia cymbiformis with other small succulents of different shapes and colors in a pot for your deck, arrange them in a wooden frame for hanging on an outdoor wall or grow them in a succulent garden on your patio table top.

Warning

Introduce new plants from the nursery into your garden gradually or their leaves may get sunburned spots. Place them in more shaded areas before moving them to less shaded spots.

About the Author

Susan Lundman began writing about her passions of cooking, gardening, entertaining and recreation after working for a nonprofit agency, writing grants and researching child development issues. She has written professionally for six years since then. Lundman received her M.A. from Stanford University.